The Buffalo Sabres lost 6-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes. A pathetic defensive efford by all 12 forwards and 6 D. The discipline that the team showed in wins vs. Philly and Toronto was flushed down the drain.
The Canes held a 4-3 lead in the third period, when Eric Staal fired a puck over the shoulder of Enroth.
Moments before, captain Pominville closed the gap to one goal when Thomas Vanek completed a beauty give-and-go play. Vanek darted to the slot, then threw a pass behind his back to Pominville, who tapped-in his second goal of the night.
The Canes cracked open a 2-2 game in the second period by scoring two quickies in nine seconds.
Jhonas Enroth now 0-9-3 in his last 12 decisions. He gave up career high four goals in the second period.
Tyler Myers, Robyn Regehr and the Sabres D corps didn't do Enroth any favors by leaving him high and dry in many scoring situations. The D did not protect the fort, hence the abnormal offensive output by Carolina.
The Canes were the desperate team in this game, having been out scored 9-2 in its first two games. head coach Kirk Muller called out his captain, Eric Staal, and Jeff Skinner to be better against Buffalo. Better they were. Staal recorded the hat trick while Skinner scored twice.
Thanks, hurricanes.nhl.com
After the game, on the MSG post game show, captain Jason Pominville told Brian Duff that he thought that the Sabres were "too loosey goosey". Pominville included himself in the carelessness on handling the puck.
The Sabres have scored 10 goals this season. Vanek has 2, Hodgson 3, Pommer 3; Ott and Myers 1 each. When one line is producing 80% of its team's goal scoring, its time for Lindy Ruff to have a heart to heart with his other nine forwards and his six D.
I like how Lindy ruff turfed some of his vets to give young Grigorenko some important shifts in the late going. Grigo skated 11:57 TOI, with 5:49 coming in the third period when the team was looking for offense.
Grigo nearly scored on a pretty wraparound play. He had Ward beat, however, the Canes D thwarted the attempt at the last moment.
Grigo has played 3 of his 5 tryout games.
I look for the kid to have a break through game on Friday night.
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